Hello! Wow, you guys are so sweet. I am so glad that y'all didn't give up on this story! Thank you all for your kind words and all the story/author alerts and story/author favorites. The favorite Author is the one that gets me.

Another shout out to my awesome b-bff Manic221 for getting the chapter back to me in record time. :) Wouldn't be writer I am without his help!

Chapter 10

Austin's throat suddenly grew dry as he stood alone outside of Ally's bedroom door. He had been there for about five or so minutes in silent as he tried to figure out what to say before he made his presents known but it was to no avail.

The blonde ball of nerves took a deep breath and knocked on the door. "Dad, I'm not hungry."

He knocked once again in response without word. The door opened moments later. Ally eyes met Austin's; shock was evident in the brown orbs he loved so much.

Wordlessly Austin pushed his way through the door and passed Ally. This wasn't a hard task, for the petit girl didn't put up much of a fight. She watched Austin walk the length of her room as the realization of what was most likely about to occur.

She bit her lower lip nervously then closed the door behind him and so walked back over to the bed that had been her safe-haven for the past month.

Fresh sunshine filled the dark and dusty room as Austin pulled apart the shades of the only window in the room. There was a cushioned box seat at the base of the window so Austin sat down started at the uncomfortable girl that waited nervously at the end of a very disheveled bed.

This thought brought him back the situation at hand. He took a deep breath and hoped what came out of his mouth would help and not hurt his mission. "Ally, why are you hiding from everyone?"

This wasn't what either of them expected to come out of his mouth but it seemed to get to Ally core as she broke eye contact and started at some random spot on the wood-tiled floor.

She shrugged her answer further frustrating her best friend. Austin didn't know how to get her to open up but he was determined to do so whether she wanted too or not.

"Come on Al. Yes you do." Austin paused for a moment then walked over to and took a seat right next to her. "Now tell me what's going on. It's just you and me Al no one else has to know."

He reassuringly took her hand in his which caused a surge of pleasure to course through both of their hands. Ally was shocked to say the least that her body would react so differently to his touch. Austin on other hand was taken aback by the fact that he could see she had shared in the sweet sensation. It both scared and excited him.

A momentary silent fell between the two as each processed what had just occurred. After the temporary euphoric amnesia had worn off; Austin came back to himself and went back to his best friend mode.

Ally could see Austin's face change from one of joy and wonder to one of concern and determination.

"Ally, you have got to stop punishing yourself. You know you did the right thing, right?" Ally solemnly nodded as fresh tears formed in her eyes. "Then stop acting like you did something wrong. You don't deserve to be punished like this."

She remained silent as a single tear rolled down her face; Austin sweetly thumbed the lone tear away then gently cupped her soft check in his hand. She looked at him with surprise; he had never done anything so…so…Intimate before.

His smile was warm and reassuring; as the two stared at one another all emotions melted away for both them. The depressed sadness that Ally had lived in for what had left like an eternity moments prior had become a distant memory, almost dream like.

In this perfect moment that Austin had dreamt of so many times it would've been the easiest thing in the world to just lean forward and kiss her.

As he leaned closer to her every cell in his body ached for him to kiss her; but a voice from the depths of his soul cried out to him. 'No, you can't. It'll ruin everything and kiss her now. The last thing she needs is another complication.'

Austin relented to the compelling voice in the back of his mind and let go of Ally face then leaned back slightly.

Ally couldn't ignore the fact the disappointment at the dissents he had just put between them. She loved the closeness of him gently cradling her face in his hand. As that thought crossed her a strange fiery feeling rose up inside her from her core.

Ally realized that she had yet to say one word since he stepped foot into her room. She thought it was about time she had. "I know you're right Austin it's not as easy as you would think for me to just let this go; if it was I would, believe me."

"You don't have to do it alone, you know? I'm always here for you no matter what. You can count on me." He squeezed her hand to further reassurance and solidify that he meant every word.

"Thanks Austin. I don't know what I'd do without you, really." She said in a very different tone to her voice. It was slightly numb but still very much sincere. Then she rested her head on his shoulder.

The two stayed this way for few minutes when felt the same comfortable closeness that endangered the good place they had finally come to. So Austin did the first thing that came to mind.

"Okay, now let's get you showered and dressed. You seriously have to get out of this house." He said as he jumped to his feet and dragged Ally out her room and into the bathroom down the hall.

He could hear her objections as they approached the porcelain tiled room. He ignored them and shoved her inside and closed the door without another word. Ally didn't put up any more of a fight and took her shower with another complaint.

She hated to admit it but the shower did the trick. It melted away all the stress that remained. Once finished she wrapped herself in a large white towel while her dark curly wet hair was pulled back in a pony-tail. As she exited the bathroom she could hear Austin and her father, Lester talk.

"I'm glad you finally got through to her. I was worried not even you could do it." Her dad's voice carried up the stairs.

She then heard a loud familiar sigh fill the air. "Yeah, to be honest wasn't sure either. I know it's not over yet but at least she is starting to try."

Guilt filled Ally's whole body she had known that her behavior didn't just affect her but it was easier to pretend otherwise when she hadn't heard their pain and worry.

Ally resolutely straightened her shoulders. She may not have felt worthy of forgiveness but the people who she cared about were worth it. She decided right then and there that no matter how she felt about herself her family and friends were more than worth it. Austin was worth it…

The brunette turned on her heel and confidently marched back to her room. She would be her old self again whether she liked it or not. 'Austin deserved that much…'

So? What did you think? I hope you liked it. It's not my best or the longest I know but I hope you liked it nonetheless. Please review so I know what you think.